Contact construction



y 25, 1944; P. M. CHRISTENSEN 2,354,501

' CONTACT CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 4, 1941 1251677652" Q FEM] M 5172752: 5275527 Patented July 25,

rum. W

company.

Connecticut .8 Fire Ann ' Application January lukewarm. uaiss .15 (ct ape-its The invention has for its primary Qhlectthe provision of an electrical contactconstruction wherein a contact and a supporting member.

therefor are so constructed that they maybe completely assembled or disassemblediupon substantially rectilinear relative movenient and which includes a projection on one member yieldably locked within a recess ;in .thelother member to holdzth'e members in assembled relationship.

Other and further objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from-the following specification to those skilled'in the art.

In-the accompanying drawing ;I have, sh own but it will .be understood thatthe drawing is intended for illustrative purposes onlyiaiid. is :not to be .construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims iorming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose. A

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a. front elevationalviewof a switch incorporating a contact construction embodying being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the linej-l of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the contact construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

- Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively;frontandside views of the contact carrying{ member.

It will be understood that the principles, of the invention are applicable to contact constructions as used for various purposes; and ,inyari-"w ous types of switches, although for thepurposes of this specification their application to a switch of the magnetic motor starter type has been illustrated.

Referring to thedrawing, and particularly particular importance to the presentinventionfi only a brief description thereof will be given. A base 2 upon which the various parts :of jthe. mo-

' tor starter including a stationary contact insulatng base I are mounted issuitably secured to the back of theycasing. Said insulating base- 3 is provided in its underside with a plurality ot spaced cavities 3* serving as arcing-chambers, said cavities being, defined by depending Eplatelike insulating ribs 3 forming the opposite sides of each cavity. The cavities are preferablycpen" on two sides, namely, the front and bottom.

.nmi esbv ,of the members uponjsubstantiailyrelative rec-V the now preferred embodiment oi the invention, J a A I p movedthereby cavity .3 containing said contacts.

- members the principles of the invention, thecasingcover, b ll t ly nther and {positively} but releasably, locked in tops of thecavities are shown closed at least .by thestati narycontacts to be describedin de tail. The" 'rearLs'ide .of the cavities are closed.

tionsrily mounted on the base 2 is anelecs iommet =l iuiaptedfizo reciprocate an armat uref l'. Adsuppdflg member 8 is mounted on the armature and removably supports contact carryingjmembers .I, themembers I and 1 being morefully'described hereinafter. A push some control station l is mounted on base 2 .with the pushbuttons'exposed at the-front of thefswitch asflis .0 and i0 .ar appropriately mounted on base 3 and are adapted; tofbe, bridged; by contact member ii on'the'fcontactf carrying member 1 when throughfthe open bottom of the Suitable .ccmiection'ibindingposts llare provided for making the necessaryicircuit, connections. In conformity with the objects of the invention as abovestatemYthe contact construction includesja' supporting member and a contact :arrying me ber mounted thereon, one of the assembled position in a recess in the al yieldable resilient part of one at near moyementfcf, the members whereby relratiyemovement in; another direction. It will be understood thelterm' "normally", as used here- ;inw'ith reference toth'eprevention of separativesmov'ement offthe supporting and contact ative separativelmovementof the members in direction isnormally prevented, the, memalso in'cluding means, for preventing sepacarrying, members means that the members are inseparable unless forced apart by stressing some [resilient meanness: themembers to cause I it yield gsu 'fiiciently to, snow relative separative nu'ivement ofithemembers, the resilient part I returning to itsiibfrmer PQsitionQupOn removal of ,thejtressing force. ,Ql'igs. best illustrate the details or contact construction of the invention and reference nowimade to those figures.

A projection orpin "having a head it extends I from one im nse supporting member and I the pin istprefer hembn rti me.

ber so as to project from the bottom oi a g'rooveil therein. previously o inted out. one of the members of the conltact construction "isjlrecessed to receive a pro- .jection on,the-.other,member and when the supporting memberisprovided with a projection such as the pin it, the contact carrying membeer is recessed as at ll. In the specific conapparent irom Fig. 2.' Contacts including. a projection receivable in bly permanently I embedded in,

struction illustrated the end of the contact carrying member I is bifurcated, the inner edges of f resulting legs il being properly shaped to form of a width less than that of pin l3. into or out of the recess II which is of a size to nicely receive it. It is apparent from Figs. 2 and 3 that when the supporting and contact carrying members are in assembled relationship the constricf tion I. yieldably locks thepin' II in the recess II to prevent relative separative movement of the members in one direction which is longi-;

tudinal of groove II and that the head II on the pin is overlies a portion of the legs H to prevent separative movementof the innermost or forward end of the contact carrying member I in another direction which is vertical with respect to Fig. 2. The term "vertical" asused herein is relative to the position of the switch that, if the switch is mounted in a different posi- 1'! and removing the contact carrying members I through the front openings of cavities I. In the foregoing description and the appended claims, descriptive terms denoting position and direction, such as front, rear, bottom, vertical,

and .the like are to be considered when the switch illustrated in the drawing is viewed in its normal position which is that shown when the sheet of drawings is disposed in a vertical position. Said descriptive terms are to be considered in the same relative sense regardless of the position finwhich the switch may be ultimately disposed.

recess therein of a size to receive said projection,

tion, the term vertical will apply in'the same I relative relationship used with respect. to Figs.

1 and 2. Additional means are preferably pro vided for preventing relative separative movefciilc means lllustratedcomprises lugs II on the ment of the'rearward or outer end of the contact carrying member with respect to the supporting member I in the vertical direction and the specontact carrying member which are receivable behind or under shoulders ii on the supporting member as clearly shown in Figs. 1-3, inclusive Member I is preferably, provided with a grip I portion or member 1 which is readily accessible from the front. Elements II, ll, ll, i1, 2! and ti comprise snap-acting, quick-detachable means to normally prevent relative separative .movement between the contact carrying members I and the supporting member I- The contact carrying member I may have a I contact or contacts mountedthereon as desired,

cess IIfor receiving the head I! are formed in.

the bottom wall of groove I! in'the supporting 7 said recess having a constricted entrance of a shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is to be understood -Z .width less than that of said projection for normally locking the same in the recess when received therewithin to prevent relative separative I movement of said members, and one of said members including a resilient portion yieldable to allow the projection to be forced through the said constricted entrance into and out of said recess.

2. In a switch, a contact construction comprising the combination of a supporting member and a contact carrying member, one of said members having a projectionextending from a surface thereof and the other member having a recess therein of a size to receive said projection, said recess having a constricted entrance with a venting relativeseparative movement thereof in ing the combination of a supporting member having a pin projecting from a surface thereof, and a member. The contact carrying members I, aim

tact members ii, and contactsi! comprise contact assemblies; a 1

From the foregoing description and the drawing it is apparent that the supporting-and contact carrying members can be' completely assembled by substantially rectilinear relative movement of the members, thespecific operation being that as member 1 is slid longitudinally in groove i5 during assemblythe legs pass beneath head H on pin II and the legs.

resiliently yieldto permit pin II to, be received in recess it as the pin is forced through the constricted entrance portion ll. constriction ll another direction.

3. In a switch, a contact construction compriscontact'carryin'g member having a recess therein of .a size to receive said pin, said recess having a constricted entrance with a resilient sidewall,

the said entrance being of a width less than that constricted entrance portion being yieldable to normally locks the pin" in recess ii to prevent relative separative movement in one direction which is longitudinal of the groove it while shoulders 2i and. head overlie portions of member Ito prevent relative separative movement in another direction which is vertical with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. Disassembly of the recess having a constricted entrance portion with members is effected by simply pulling on grip.

a resilient sidewall, thesald entrance, being of a' width less than that of said pin for normally locking said pin in the recess when received therewithin to prevent relative separatlve movement of said members in one direction and the resilient sidewall of said constricted entrance portion being yieldable to allow the pin to be forced into and out of said recess, the head on said pin overlying a portion of said contact carrying member for preventing relativeseparative movement of the members inanother direction.

5. In a switch, a contact construction comprising the combination of a supporting mem- 1 her having a pin projecting from a surface-thereof, and a contact carrying member having a bifurcated end forming a resiliently walled recess therein of a size to receive said pin, saidrecess having a constricted entrance of a width less than that of said pin for normally locking said pin in the recess when received therewithin to prevent relative separative movement of said membersin one direction, the said resilient wall being yieldable to allow the pin to be, forced into and out of said recess, and said members including interengageable portions for preventing relative sep arative movement thereof in another direction. 6. In a switch, a contact construction com-,.

prising the combination of a supporting member having a pin projecting forward from a face thereof, and a contact carrying member having therein and adjacent one end thereofa recess with a resiliently sidewalle'd constricted entrance, said pin being received in said recess and normally locked therein by said constricted ena guide groove therein extending transversely to said path, a contact. assembly. movable withthe supporting member and comprising a contact member mounted on a carrying rhembejrfsaid carrying member being detachably secured in said guide groove and the contact face of the contact member being substantially perpendicular to said path of movement, a stationary contact support positioned in the projected path of movement of the movable supporting member, a stationary contact on the stationary support and havingits contact'face substantially parallel to the contact face of the 'movablecontact and positioned to be, engaged and'disengaged thereby, snap-acting quicl: detachable means comprising component parts respectively carried by said carrying member and movable supporting member to normally connect the said contact assembly with the movable supporting member but enable the said contact assembly to be disconnected from and connected to said movable supporting trance when the membersare in assembled re- 1 lationship to prevent relative separativemovement of the members in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said pin, and said supporting member including portions overlying the contact carryingmember when the members are in assembled relationship to prevent relative separative movement thereof in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pin.

7. In combination in an electric switch, a supporting member movable in opposite directions along a predetermined path, said member having an open guide groove therein extending transversely to said path; a contact assembly movable with the supporting member and comprising a contact member mounted on a carrying member, said carrying member being detachably secured in said guide groove and the contact face of the contact member being substantially perpendicular to said path of movemember by rectilinear movements of the movable contact assembly in reverse directionslongitudinally of said guide groove and substantially parallel to the said contact faces and perpendicular to the 'aforesaiddirection of movement while the elements of the switch other than said contact assembly may remain assembled, and a manually engageable' grip member on said contact assembly and adapted to be directly manually actuated to move said contact assembly rcctilinearly in said guide groove for the aforesaid purposes.

9. In combinationin an electric switch, a supporting member movable in opposite directions along a predetermined path, said member having a'guide groove therein extending transverse,- ly to said path, a contactassembly movable with the supporting member and comprising a contact member having a contact face and mounted on a carrying member in spaced relationship thereto in a direction normal to the face of said contact, said carrying member beingdetachably secured in said guide groove and the contact face of the contact member being substantially perpendicular to'said path of movement, a stationary contact support positioned in the projected path of movement of the movable supporting" member, a. stationary contact on the stationary ment, a stationary contact support positioned iri-the projected path of movement of the movable supporting member, a stationary contact on the stationary support and having its contact face substantially parallel to the contact face of the movable contact and-positioned to be engaged and disengaged thereby, and snap-acting quick detachable means comprising component parts respectively carried by said carrying member and movable supporting member to nor'-' mally connect the said contact assembly with the movable supporting member but enable the said contact assembly to be disconnected from and connected to said movabl supporting mem-' her by rectilinear movements of the movable contact assembly in reverse directions longitudinally of said guide groove and substantially P rallel.

to thesaid contact faces and perpendicular to the aforesaid directionof movement while the support and having itscontact face substantially parallel to thexcontact face of the movable contact and positioned to be engaged and disengaged thereby, and quick detachable means comprising component parts respectively carried by said carrying member and movable supporting memher to normally connect the said contact assembiy with the movable supporting member but enable the said contact assembly to be disconnected from and connected to said movable supporting member by rectilinear movements of the movable contact assembly in reverse directions longitudinally of said guide groove and substantially parallel to the said contact faces and perpendicular to the aforesaid direction of movement while the elements of the switch other than said contact assembly may remain assem bled. h

10. In combination in an electric switch, a supporting member movable in opposite directions I along a predetermined path, said member having elements of the switch other than said contact assembly may remain assembled.

8. In combination in an electric switch, a supporting member movable in opposite directions along a predetermined path, said member having aguide groove therein extending transversely to said path, a contact assembly movable with the supporting member and comprising a contact member having a contact face and mounted on an elongated carryingmemberin spaced relationship thereto in a direction normal to the face 'stantially parallelly to said contact face and a guide groove formed in said surface, a' contact assembly carried by said supporting member and movable thereby within said cavity between the prisinga carrying member detachably mounted in said guidegroove and also comprising a consubstantially parallel to the contact face of the movable contact and positioned to be engaged and disengagedthereby, quick detachable means comprising component parts respectively carried by said carrying member and movable supporting member to normally connect the said'contact assembly with the movable supporting mem- .ber but enable the said contact assembly to be tact having a contact face engageable with the stationary contact, means detachably connecting said contact assembly to said movable supporting member and'comprlsing quick detachable coengaging parts respectively carried by said carrydisconnected from and connected 'to' said movable supporting member by rectilinear movements of the movable contact assembly in reverse directions longitudinally of said guide groove and substantially parallel to the said coning member and movable supporting member,

said coengaging parts being readily disconnectible said guide groove in said supporting member in a direction transverse to said predetermined path contact assembly from said switch, and a mantact faces and perpendicular totl'i'e aforesaid direction of movement while the'elements of the switch otherthan said contact assembly may remain assembled, and a manually engfl eable grip member connected to one end of said .car-

rying member oi said contact assembly and adapted. to be manually'actuate'd to move said contact assembly rectilinearly in said guide groove for the aforesaid purposes. r I

11. In combination in an electric switch, an insulating member 'provi'ded-with a cavity defined by opposed sides and open at its front side,

. membermayybe normally engaged and actuated to move saideontact'assembly relatively to said guide groove and supporting member for the aforesaid purposes.

,13. In a switch, the combination of operating mechanism, a supporting member movable to and from open circuit position by said operating 1 mechanism and having a plurality of pins proastationa r'y contact having a contact face and v I mounted within'said cavity between-the sides thereof, asupporting member mounted for movement along a predetermined path intersecting said cavity and the plane substantially occupied by the face of said'stationary contact, said supporting member having a surface extending subcarrying member and movable supporting member, said coengaging parts'bein'g readily disconnectible by movingisaid carrying member relatively to said guide groove in said supporting member in a direction transverse to said predetermined path of said supporting member and through the open front of said cavityto effect removal of said contact assembly from said switch. I

12. In combination in an electric switch, an insulating member provided with a cavity defined by opposed sides and open at it front side, a stastantially parallelly to' said contact face and a guide groove formed insaid surface,a contact assembly carried by said supporting member and movable therebywithin said cavity'betweenthe' 'jecting from a surface thereof. and a plurality of contact carrying members individually mounted on said supporting member and each having a contact resiliently mounted thereon and a recess therein of a size to receive one of said pins; the said recesses having resiliently sidewalled constricted entrances of a width less than that ofsaid pins for normally locking said pins in said recesses when received therewithin to prevent relative separative movement of said members, and the resilient sidewalls of said constricted entrances being yieldable to allow the pins to be forced into and out of said recesses.

14. In a switch, a contact construction comprising in combination, a. supporting member having a plurality of projecting surfaces, a contact carrying member longitudinally movable into and out of normal position on the supporting in such position against said longitudinal movement, and projections extending outward from opposite sides of said contact carrying member and adapted to engage said projecting surfaces when said members are interconnected to hold the other end of said contact carrying member tionary contact having a contact 'face' and,

mounted. within said cavity between the sides thereof, a supporting member mounted for movementalong apredetermined path intersecting said cavity and the plane substantially occupied by the face of said stationary contact, said supportagainst transverse movement in a'substantially vertical direction relative to said supporting member when in operative position.

15. A contact carryin member adapted to be secured to a supporting member in a switch comprising, in combination, a contact member, an element connected thereto and having one end bifurcated to provide a pair of resilient legs, and projections extending from opposite edges of said element adjacent the other endthereof, said legs and projections being adapted to coengage with means on said supporting member to detachably connect said contact carrying member thereto.

PAUL M. cnnismsnn. 

